Subscriber Unit for Controlling Initial Power Ramp-Up Using Short Codes

1. A subscriber unit for regulating transmission power, comprising: means for transmitting a periodic signal at an initial predetermined power level that is lower than a power level required for detection by a base station, wherein the means for transmitting includes means for repeatedly retransmitting the periodic signal, each transmission occurring at successively higher power levels; means for terminating transmission of the periodic signal and maintaining a power level at a time that a confirmation signal is received; and means for transmitting an access signal at the maintained power level wherein said access signal comprises an access code and said periodic signal comprises a short code which is shorter than said access code.

2. The subscriber unit of claim 1 wherein said short code has a period of one symbol.

3. A subscriber unit for regulating transmission power comprising: means for transmitting a periodic signal at an initial predetermined power level that is lower than a power level required for detection by a base station, wherein the means for transmitting includes means for repeatedly retransmitting the periodic signal, each retransmission occurring at successively high power levels; means for terminating transmission of said periodic signal and maintaining a power level present upon receipt of a confirmation signal; means for employing said maintained power level upon initiation of a subsequent operation wherein an access signal comprises an access code and said periodic signal comprises a short code, which is shorter than said access code; and wherein said subsequent operation includes means for transmitting an access signal.

4. The subscriber unit of claim 3 wherein said short code is an integer multiple of said access code.

5. The subscriber unit of claim 4 wherein said short code is modified periodically.

6. The subscriber unit of claim 3 wherein said short code has a period of one symbol.